Marta Jo Dittmer

Marta fought the disease with great courage and dignity for 8 years. Her example was an inspiration to her family, friends and all who knew her. In addition to raising three daughters, Marta had a long and successful career in state government. She lent her many talents to the Departments of Public Health and Natural Resources and to the Library of Michigan and Michigan Senate.

Marta was born on November 8, 1952 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to parents Marcia (Kennedy) and Robert Dittmer. She was the eldest of ten children, a role that nurtured the sense of duty and compassion she carried throughout her life as she helped raise her siblings in Lansing, Michigan. Studious and responsible from an early age, Marta graduated in the top of her class at O’Rafferty High School class in 1970. She went on to attend Michigan State University’s Honor College, graduating with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Education. She later earned a master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Marta was a proud alumnus of Michigan State University. She was a loyal and enthusiastic fan of Spartan Athletics and all things Green and White. She thoroughly enjoyed attending Spartan football games in the fall and basketball games in the winter.

A devoted naturalist, Marta was an avid gardener who championed native planting on the grounds of her home along the Looking Glass River. She inherited from her Grandma Dittmer a love of backyard birding and could identify many species by sound. From the birds visiting her feeders to the deer, ducks, and Sandhill Cranes that passed along the Looking Glass River, Marta’s home was truly her sanctuary.

Marta had a supple and curious mind wanting to know more about nature, physics, anthropology, government, the arts, literature, and history. She was compassionate toward those less fortunate and had a big heart for all her pets, especially her “grandpups” and for animals that were not as fortunate as hers. She had a passion for scenic Lake Michigan and cherished her childhood memories of time spent in Ludington, Michigan.

Marta is survived by her three daughters who were her pride and joy, Lauren, Lindsay (fiancé Zack Reed), and Kelsey Radke (Craig Host), her partner of 30 years, Jim Cavanagh, her sisters Roberta (David) Sprague, Cara (Craig) Flegel, Teresa Dittmer, and brothers Bruce (Victoria) Dittmer, Jay (Deborah) Dittmer, Stephen (Judy) Dittmer, and Neal Dittmer.

Marta was predeceased by her infant brother Kenneth, her sister Diana Dittmer and her parents Marcia and Robert Dittmer.

The family will receive friends for the visitation on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 W Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48917. A rosary will follow the visitation. A funeral service will take place on May 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at the funeral home. Pursuant to Marta’s wishes, cremation will take place at a later date with interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Those wishing to make donations in Marta’s memory should make them to the National Breast Cancer Foundation or the ASPCA

Great appreciation to CorsoCare Hospice and to Marta’s family, especially Lauren Radke for their care toward the end of Marta’s life. Though Marta has left us here on this earth, she will forever be in our hearts.